Survey study, 2020
How are sleep problems, mood disorders and the menstrual cycle connected?
About one third of women have disrupted sleep before their period, especially those with premenstrual mood disorders. Hormonal changes and circadian rhythm disruption likely explain this.
What they did
Literature review examining recent studies on female reproduction, sleep and mood across the menstrual cycle.
What they found
About one third of women experience premenstrual sleep disruption. Sleep disturbances are particularly prevalent in those with premenstrual mood disorders. Hormonal fluctuations during the premenstrual phase alter circadian rhythm and decrease melatonin secretion, linked to sleep complaints and menstrual irregularity. Menstrual irregularity is independently associated with increased mood complaints and poor sleep.
What it means for you
Sleep, mood and menstrual regularity appear connected through hormonal and circadian changes. Exact mechanisms need further research. This is a review of existing studies, not new original research.
1 in 3
Women with premenstrual sleep disruption
About the study
- Original title
- Sleep, premenstrual mood disorder, and women's health
- Authors
- Meers JM, Nowakowski S
- Journal
- Current opinion in psychology
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None; literature review
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.09.003
Topics
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